Approximately 2 billion adults across the world are excluded from the formal financial system. Digital technologies create opportunities to expand access to and usage of affordable financial services among underserved groups. However, scaling these products and services to reach marginalized communities requires strong commitment, coordination, and follow-through from public and private sector stakeholders.

The Brookings Financial and Digital Inclusion Project (FDIP) team assesses the financial inclusion ecosystems of 26 geographically, politically, and economically diverse countries based on four dimensions of financial inclusion: country commitment, mobile capacity, regulatory environment, and adoption of selected traditional and digital financial services.

In the second annual FDIP Report, Brookings experts John D. Villasenor, Darrell M. West, and Robin J. Lewis build upon the findings of the first annual FDIP report, published in August 2015, by analyzing key changes in the global financial inclusion landscape over the previous year, adding five new countries to the study, and providing recommendations aimed at advancing financial inclusion among marginalized groups, including women, migrants, refugees, and youth.

On August 4, the Center for Technology Innovation at Brookings held a forum to launch the 2016 FDIP Report and discuss key research findings and recommendations. Experts representing several countries featured in the FDIP study offered their perspectives on advancing financial inclusion during a moderated discussion. After the session, panelists will took audience questions.